Athletic system and assembly for swinging a bat or club and method for providing the athletic assembly

ABSTRACT

An athletic assembly is provided that includes an elongated strap and an anchor body. The strap extends between a wrist portion and an anchor portion with an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The wrist portion is configured to be joined to a wrist of an athlete wearing the assembly. The anchor body is coupled to the anchor portion of the strap and is configured to be joined with a hand of the athlete in a position disposed away from the wrist portion. The intermediate portion provides a rotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the athlete when the intermediate portion is pulled across the hand from the wrist to the anchor body. The rotative force assists the athlete in rolling the one or more of the hand or the wrist during a swinging action of athletic equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/432,932, filed on Jan. 14, 2011, and 61/440,562,filed on Feb. 8, 2011. Each of the above applications is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Generally, athletic competitions that involve swinging equipment involvewrist movement to generate power when swinging the equipment. Forexample, swinging a baseball bat, a softball bat, a golf club, and acricket bat can involve rotation of the wrist and hand that leads theswing of the bat or club. The muscles that control rotation of the wristcan add extra energy and speed to the swinging bat or club. As theenergy and/or speed of the bat or club increases, the distance that theball being struck by the bat or club travels may increase and/or thepath that the ball travels may be pulled, or travel along a draw or hooktrajectory. For example, during a baseball swing, the bottom hand on thebat typically travels ahead of the upper hand on the bat along the pathof the swing. The top hand on the bat trails the bottom hand as thehands swing the bat toward the approaching ball. During the swing, thewrists roll over, or rotate forward, to generate power when striking theball.

If the leading wrist is weak, such as by rotating a relatively smallamount, rotating slowly, or not rotating, the leading wrist may breakdown when the bat or club strikes the ball. The breaking down of theleading wrist can reduce the power that is imparted to the ball by thebat or club at contact between the ball and the bat or club. Moreover,the ball may not be pulled along a draw or hooked trajectory. Forexample, a baseball or softball may not be hit toward the third basemanor left field for a right handed baseball batter or may not be hittoward the first baseman or right field for a left handed baseballbatter. Instead, the struck ball may follow a fade or slice trajectory.Some known athletic equipment does not aid a user in rolling over theleading wrist during the swinging motion of a bat or club toward a ball.

A need remains for an athletic assembly that aids an athlete in rollingover the leading wrist during a swing to generate additional power whenswinging athletic equipment at a ball and/or to pull the ball once theball is struck.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an athletic assembly for swinging a bat or club isprovided having a wrist portion configured to be secured to a wrist of ahand. An anchor portion is configured to be secured to a trailing end ofthe hand. An intermediate portion extends between the wrist portion andthe anchor portion. The intermediate portion is joined to the wristportion at a leading end of the hand. The intermediate portion extendsalong a dorsal side of the hand. The intermediate portion is configuredto pull the anchor portion to generate rotation of the hand about thewrist.

In another embodiment, a method of generating rotation in a wrist isprovided. The method includes securing a wrist portion of an athleticassembly to a wrist of the hand. An anchor portion of the athleticassembly is secured to a trailing end of the hand. An intermediateportion is joined to the wrist portion at a leading end of the hand. Theintermediate portion extends between the wrist portion and the anchorportion along a dorsal side of the hand. The intermediate portion isconfigured to pull the anchor portion to generate rotation of the handabout the wrist.

In another embodiment, an athletic assembly is provided that includes aglove configured to receive a hand of an individual. The glove has apalmer side configured to grip sporting equipment and an opposite dorsalside. The athletic assembly also includes an elongated strap that has awrist portion and an anchor portion. The elongated strap is configuredto extend across one of the dorsal side or the palmer side of the glove.The wrist portion is configured to couple to a wrist region of the hand,and the anchor portion is configured to couple to the glove at a cornerregion of the hand. The strap provides a rotative force to one or moreof the hand or the wrist of the individual when the strap is pulledacross the hand.

In some embodiments, the anchor portion and the wrist portion arereadily separable from the glove. In other embodiments, one of theanchor portion or the wrist portion is not readily separable from theglove while the other is readily separable from the glove. In otherembodiments, each of the anchor portion and the wrist portion is securedto the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side view of a hand.

FIG. 2 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a left hand and a right hand swinging aclub (or other equipment).

FIG. 11 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 through 19 illustrate another embodiment of an athleticassembly.

FIG. 20 illustrates an athletic strap system in accordance with oneembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recitedin the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should beunderstood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unlesssuch exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “oneembodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recitedfeatures. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary,embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality ofelements having a particular property may include additional suchelements not having that property.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side view of the left hand 100. FIG. 1 generallyillustrates various anatomical parts of a left hand 100, which may bereferred to throughout the following description regarding the variousembodiments. While the description herein focuses on a left hand, thedescription also may apply to the right hand. Moreover, various elementsor features of elongated straps may be described as being located withreference to an anatomical part of the hand 100 or to a correspondingpart of a glove. In embodiments where a glove is used, it is understoodthat the elongated straps may be attached to the glove proximate to thereferenced anatomical part. For example, if a part of the elongatedstrap is described as being “positioned at the proximal phalange 128,”the referenced part may be attached to the glove or positioned alongsidethe glove “at the proximal phalange 128.” In some cases, the elongatedstrap may be directly coupled to the bare hand 100. As used herein, whena feature or element is “proximate to” (or another like term) areferenced part, the feature or element may be near the referenced partand may be directly at or over the referenced part.

The hand 100 includes a dorsal side 102 and an opposite palmar side 134(shown in FIG. 3). The dorsal side 102 alternatively may be referred toas a back side of the hand 100 and the palmar side 134 as the palm ofthe hand 100. The hand 100 laterally extends between a leading end oredge 104 and an opposite trailing end or edge 106. With respect to aleft hand 100, the leading end 104 represents the left side of the hand100 and the trailing end 106 represents the right side of the hand 100from the perspective of a person viewing the dorsal side 102. Withrespect to a right hand 100, the leading end 104 represents the rightside of the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 represents the left sideof the hand 100 when viewed from the perspective of a person viewing thedorsal side 102. The hand 100 also extends between a proximal end 108and a distal end 110. The proximal end 108 joins the hand 100 to an armwhile the distal end 110 corresponds to the fingertips of a person.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gloved left hand 1000 and a glovedright hand 1002 swinging a club 1004 (or other equipment). FIG. 10 isused as an illustration of the rotating or rolling motion of the hands1000, 1002 during the swinging act. The hands 1000, 1002 are shown for aright-handed athlete, but the discussion herein may apply to aleft-handed athlete with the hands being reversed.

During a swing, the leading end 104 (FIG. 1) of the hand 1000 generallyleads the movement of the hand 1000 through a swing arc 1006. The swingarc 1006 represents at least a portion of the path that the hands 1000,1002 follow during the swing. In one embodiment, the athlete rotates hisor her hands 1000, 1002 generally along a rotation arc 1008. As shown,the rotation arc 1008 generally extends about or around a longitudinalaxis 1010 of the equipment 1004. For example, the longitudinal axis 1010may extend through a shaft of a golf club or baseball bat. Rotating thehands 1000, 1002 along the rotation arc 1008 can assist in providingmore power to the swing and to drive the ball being struck farther.Additionally, rotating the hands 1000, 1002 can help to pull thetrajectory of the ball along a draw or hook trajectory, as opposed to afade or slice trajectory.

Returning to the discussion of the hand 100 shown in FIG. 1, during anathletic event, the hand 100 may grip and swing equipment, such as a bator club. The hand 100 grasps the equipment so that the leading end 104of the hand 100 leads the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 of the hand100 trails the leading end 104 as the hand 100 rotates through therotation arc 1008 (shown in FIG. 10). The leading end 104 is referred toas leading as the leading end 104 precedes the trailing end 106 alongthe rotation arc 1008.

Carpals 112 in the hand 100 form a wrist 114 at the proximal end 108 ofthe hand 100. Metacarpals 115 extend from the carpals 112 in the wrist114 toward the distal end 110 of the hand 100. Fingers 116 extend fromthe metacarpals 115 toward the distal end 110. The fingers 116 include athumb 118, an index finger 120, a middle finger 122, a ring finger 124,and a little finger 126. The thumb 118 is positioned at the trailing end106 of the hand 100. The little finger 126 is positioned at the leadingend 104 of the hand 100.

Each of the index finger 120, the middle finger 122, the ring finger124, and the little finger 126 includes a proximal phalange 128 joinedto a metacarpal 115. An intermediate phalange 130 extends from eachproximal phalange 128. A distal phalange 132 extends from eachintermediate phalange 130. The distal phalanges 132 form the distal end110 of the hand 100. The thumb 118 includes a proximal phalange 128 anda distal phalange 132 joined to the proximal phalange 128.

Example embodiments described herein include apparatuses that areconfigured to assist an individual in controlling a rotation of his orher hand(s) during a swing of sporting equipment (e.g., golf club,baseball bat, and the like). For example, athletic assemblies describedherein may increase a rotative force in such cases where it is desired.In other embodiments, athletic assemblies may be configured to impede ordecrease rotational movement by the hand(s) during the swing. Morespecifically, various embodiments may provide a force that extendsdirectionally between a corner region or area 144 of the hand 100 and awrist region or area 146 of the hand 100. The wrist region 146 isgenerally indicated by a dashed line and may include an intersection ofthe wrist 114 and the metacarpals 115 proximate to the leading end 104.The corner region 144 is generally indicated by a dashed line and mayinclude portions of the metacarpals 115 or proximal phalanges 128 of themiddle finger 122, the index finger 120, and the thumb 118.

The force may extend at an angle with respect to the wrist 114. Forinstance, a lateral axis 140 may extend through the wrist 114 and thewrist region 146 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular tothe forearm (not shown) of the individual. The force provided by thevarious embodiments described herein may extend directionally at anangle θ with respect to a lateral axis 140. The angle θ may be fromabout 10° to about 80° and any number or range therebetween. Thedirection of force may also be described with respect to an axis thatextends along the forearm. For example, the force may extend at an anglefrom about 80° to about 10° and any number or range therebetween withrespect to the forearm axis.

In some embodiments, different components are readily separable fromeach other. In such embodiments, the two components may be separatedfrom each other without damage to either of the components and withoutdamage to the fastening mechanism. For example, readily separablecomponents may be coupled to each other through hook and loop fasteners,buttons, hooks, re-usable adhesive, and the like. In some cases, anindividual may be able to adjust the components within a reasonableperiod of time (e.g., between pitches of an at-bat in baseball orbetween golf swings) without substantial delay. In other embodiments,two components are not readily separable from each other. For example,the two components may be stitched or sewn together and/or an adhesivemay permanently bond the two components together. In such embodiments,separating the two components would cause damage to at least one of thecomponents and/or the fastening mechanism (e.g., stitching would beripped). Nonetheless, the components may still be adjusted by anindividual within a reasonable period of time.

For example, FIG. 2 is a dorsal side view of one embodiment of anathletic assembly 200 that is used to swing a club, bat, or otherequipment. FIG. 3 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 200shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the athletic assembly 200 includesan elongated strap 202 (FIG. 2) and a glove 204, which can be similar toa baseball or softball batting glove or golf glove. The strap 202 can bepositioned over and secured to the hand 100 along the glove 204 (e.g.,along an exterior surface of the glove 204 and/or between layers of theglove 204). Alternatively, the athletic assembly 200 may be used withthe strap 202 only (i.e., without the glove 204). For example, the strap202 may be used with a bare hand 100 that is not wearing a glove 204.The strap 202 may be formed integrally with the glove 204 or may beseparate from the glove 204. When formed integrally with the glove 204,at least a portion or part of the strap 202 is coupled (e.g., sewed,bonded through an adhesive, and the like). In such embodiments, thestrap 202 may remain coupled to the glove 204 when not be used by theindividual.

The strap 202 may include a wrist portion or end 206, an anchor portionor end 212 (FIG. 2), and an intermediate portion 208 (FIG. 2) thatextends between the wrist and anchor portions 206, 212. The strap 202may be one continuous piece of material or may include multiple types ofmaterials connected to each other. For example, the intermediate portion208 and the anchor portion 212 may be the same piece of material, butthe wrist portion 206 may be a different type of material. The wristportion 206 is configured to be secured to the wrist 114 of the hand100. In one embodiment, the wrist portion 206 may be formed integrallywith the glove 204. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be sewnand/or bonded to the glove 204, or the wrist portion 206 may constitutean extension of existing material of the glove 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wrist portion 206 is wrapped aroundthe wrist 114. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be wrappeddirectly around the bare wrist 114 (FIG. 1) of the individual or thewrist portion 206 may be wrapped around a portion of the glove 204 thatcovers the wrist 114 of the user. The wrist portion 206 may include afastener, such as hook and loop fasteners, to secure the wrist portion206 to the wrist 114. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be coupledto the wrist 114 by wrapping the wrist portion 206 around the wrist 114one or more times and affixing a distal section 150 of the wrist portion206 to itself or another fastener. Alternatively, the wrist portion 206may be secured by coupling the wrist portion 206 to a button, using azipper, or another fastening technique.

The intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 extends from the wristportion 206 to the anchor portion 212. In the illustrated embodiment,the intermediate portion 208 extends across the dorsal side 102 of thehand 100. The intermediate portion 208 extends at least partiallylaterally between the leading end 104 of the hand 100 and the trailingend 106 of the hand 100. The intermediate portion 208 may extend in ageneral direction from the wrist region 146 (FIG. 1) to the cornerregion 144 (or vice versa). The intermediate portion 208 extends acrossat least one of the metacarpals 115 of the hand 100. In particularembodiments, the intermediate portion 208 extends across at least twometacarpals 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor portion 212is positioned at the proximal phalange 128 of the index finger 120. Inthe athletic assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediateportion 208 may lie across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100 at anangle with respect to the wrist region 146 (FIG. 1) and extend to thecorner region 144 (FIG. 1), which is proximate to the intersection ofthe proximal phalange 128 (shown in FIG. 1) and the metacarpal 115(shown in FIG. 1) of the index finger 120.

The anchor portion 212 of the strap 202 is joined to an anchor body 214.The anchor body 214 anchors, or secures, one end of the strap 202 to thehand 100. The anchor body 214 extends substantially transverse to thestrap 202. The wrist portion 206 couples or secures the opposite end ofthe strap 202 to the wrist 114. In the illustrated embodiment, theanchor portion 212 of the strap 202 includes a loop 216 (FIG. 2) thatextends around the anchor body 214 such that the strap 202 is coupled tothe anchor body 214. For example, the loop 216 may extend around theanchor body 214 and be secured to itself (e.g., the loop 216 is securedto the loop 216) by stitching the loop 216 to itself, or by usinganother fastening mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons,hooks, and the like. Alternatively, the anchor body 214 may be fastenedto the anchor portion 212 without the loop 216. For example, the anchorbody 214 may be integrally formed with the anchor portion 212 or besecured directly to the anchor portion 212. In some alternativeembodiments, the anchor portion 212 and the anchor body 214 are the samepiece of material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 214 is configured as aring that is positioned on a proximal phalange 128 (e.g., finger) of thehand 100. The anchor body 214 secures the strap 202 to the hand 100 and,in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, secures the strap 202 to theindex finger 120. The anchor body 214 is illustrated as being secured tothe index finger 120. For example, the anchor body 214 can be a loopthat is positioned over the index finger 120 by an athlete wearing theglove 204. Optionally, the anchor body 214 may be secured to anotherfinger, such as the middle finger 122. In another embodiment, the anchorbody 214 may be formed integrally with or otherwise attached to theglove 204. For example, the anchor body 214 may be stitched to orotherwise secured to the glove 204 such that the anchor body 214 may notbe separated from the glove 204 without damaging the anchor body 214and/or glove 204. In another embodiment where the glove 204 is not worn,the anchor body 214 may be a loop that is positioned over one or more ofthe fingers (e.g., the index and middle fingers 120, 122) with the wristportion 206 wrapped around the wrist 114.

In operation, the anchor portion 212 is secured to the index finger 120and the wrist portion 206 of the strap 202 is pulled away from theanchor body 214 toward to the wrist 114. The pulling of the strap 202toward the wrist 114 provides a user-adjustable tightness such that theintermediate portion 208 extends across the dorsal side 102 of the hand100 and the intermediate portion 208 is taut across the hand 100. Thewrist portion 206 is secured to the wrist 114 as described above tomaintain the intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 in a taut stateand to cause the strap 202 to provide a force across the hand 100 fromthe trailing end 106 of the hand 100 toward the leading end 104. Thisforce may generally extend across the dorsal side of the hand 100 alongthe arrows shown in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments, the strap 202 mayhave a first tension when the palmar side 134 faces the individual and asecond tension when the hand 100 is rotated to grip the sportingequipment. More specifically, when the individual tightens the strap 202by pulling the strap 202 toward the wrist region 146, the palmar side134 may be generally facing the individual. When the hand of theindividual is then rotated and/or the hand grips the sporting equipment,the tension in the strap 202 may increase. The individual may sense thistension before or during the swing of the sporting equipment.

During a swing, the strap 202 can aid the athlete in swinging equipmentsuch as a bat or golf club. As described above, the athlete may swingthe equipment and attempt to roll over or rotate the leading hand 100during the swing. The intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 createsa tension on the anchor portion 212 during a swing. The tension on theanchor portion 212 pulls the anchor portion 212 and can increase theforce that rolls the hand 100 and wrist 114 such that the trailing end106 of the hand 100 rotates or rolls toward the leading end 104 of thehand 100.

The strap 202 may be utilized to generate additional power when swingingequipment, for example, a golf club or a bat. The additional rotationforce provided by the taut strap 202 can increase the power and/or speedat which the hand 100 and wrist 114 rotate during the swing to increasethe power imparted from the equipment to the ball and/or pull the ball.The taut strap 202 may reduce the likelihood that the athlete will haveweak wrists during the swing.

The strap 202 may be utilized to avoid or reduce a fade or a slice in agolf swing. For example, an undesirable fade or a slice may be reducedby increasing rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 during the swing.As described above, the strap 202 can increase the force that aids inrotating the hand 100 and wrist 114 during a swing. As the amount and/orspeed of rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 increases, the ball thatis struck by the club or bat held by the hand 100 may be less likely tofollow a fade or slice trajectory.

In one embodiment, the strap 202 is adjustable to change the slack inthe intermediate portion 208. For example, the wrist portion 206 may bepulled less tight around the wrist 114 to make the intermediate portion208 less taut. Alternatively, the wrist portion 206 may be pulledtighter to achieve an opposite effect. The changing slack to tautness inthe intermediate portion 208 can vary the force applied by the strap202. For example, a tighter intermediate portion 208 may provide moreforce and cause increased rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 while alooser intermediate portion 208 can provide less force and/or lessrotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114.

In some embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion208, and the anchor portion 212 comprise the same material. The materialmay have a desired degree of elasticity to provide a desired rotativeforce. Example materials for the different portions of the strap 202 mayinclude rubber or latex, nylon, polyester, elastane, plastics, and thelike, including any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the wristportion 206, the intermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212comprise different materials. For example, the intermediate portion 208and/or the anchor portion 212 may be more elastic than the wrist portion206.

In some embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion208, and the anchor portion 212 form an elongated strip with the samedimensions. However, in other embodiments, the wrist portion 206, theintermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212 have differentdimensions. For example, in some embodiments, the wrist portion 206 mayhave wider dimensions and/or comprise a sturdier material than theintermediate portion 208. In such embodiments, the wrist portion 206 maybe configured to provide additional support and/or protection to thewrist 114, similar to the support and/or protection provided by battinggloves. Likewise, in some embodiments, the anchor body 214 may havedimensions and comprise a material that permits the anchor body 214 tobe wrapped about a finger or stitched to the glove 204 while alsowithstanding the force applied by the intermediate portion 208.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the strap 202 is not a straight pieceof material. For example, the wrist portion 206 and the intermediateportion 208 may form an angle with respect to each other. The anglecould be similar to a dogleg (e.g., from about 20° to about 60° ormore). In such embodiments, it may be easier for an individual totransition from the dorsal side 102 to the wrist 114 when wrapping thestrap 202 about the wrist 114.

In another embodiment, the strap 202 may be repositioned such that theintermediate portion 208 extends along the palmar side 134 of the hand100. For example, the strap 202 may extend from the anchor body 214 andacross the palmar side 134 to the wrist portion 206. Such a position maycause the strap 202 to provide a force that lessens the degree or speedof rotation of the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 during a swing. An athletewho is attempting to hit a ball along a fade or slice trajectory, or toreduce a hook or draw trajectory of the ball, may arrange the strap 202in such a manner to achieve such a trajectory.

FIG. 4 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athleticassembly 300 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG.5 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 300 shown in FIG. 4.The athletic assembly 300 is similar to the athletic assembly 200 (FIG.2). At least one difference between the athletic assembly 300 and theathletic assembly 200 is that the anchor body 214 is secured to thethumb 118 of the hand 100. For example, instead of positioning theanchor body 214 around the index finger 120, the anchor body 214 may bepositioned around the thumb 118 of the hand 100. In another embodiment,the anchor body 214 may be moved to another position, such as by placingthe anchor body 214 around another finger or combination of fingers(e.g., the index and middle fingers 120, 122).

An athlete may change the location of the anchor body 214 based on aphysical comfort of the different positions. Additionally, the differentlocations of the anchor body 214 may change the rotation of the hand 100and/or wrist 114 of different athletes in different ways. For example, afirst athlete may find it desirable to position the anchor body 214around the index finger 120 in order to rotate the hand 100 and/or wrist114 while a second athlete may find it desirable to position the anchorbody 214 around the thumb 118 to achieve the same or substantially sameresult. Similar to the athletic assembly 200, the strap 202 (FIG. 4) ofthe athletic assembly 300 may be tightened across the dorsal side of thehand 100 such that the strap 202 provides a force that aids an athletein rolling or rotating his or her hand 100 and/or wrist 114 during aswing of a club or bat at a ball. This force may generally extend acrossthe dorsal side of the hand 100 along the arrows shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athleticassembly 400. FIG. 7 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 400shown in FIG. 6. The athletic assembly 400 may be similar to theathletic assembly 200 (FIG. 2). One difference between the athleticassemblies 200, 400 is that the athletic assembly 400 includes an anchorbody 402 that is formed as a relatively short strap extending across aportion of the dorsal side of the hand 100. The strap 202 (FIG. 6)includes the loop 216 which extends around and couples the strap 202 tothe anchor body 402.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 402 is secured to theglove 204. For example, the anchor body 402 may be stitched or otherwiseaffixed to the glove 204. The anchor body 402 may extend transverse tothe strap 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 402extends from between the thumb 118 and the index finger 120 toward themiddle finger 122. Alternatively, the anchor body 402 may extend in adifferent direction and/or between different parts of the hand 100. Theanchor body 402 may extend across the proximal phalanges 128 of theindex finger 120 and the middle finger 122 across the dorsal side of thehand 100.

Similar to as described above, the strap 202 is tightened across thedorsal side 102 of the hand 100 to provide a force generally across thedorsal side 102 along the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 6. Thisforce can aid an athlete in rolling or rotating his or her wrist 114and/or hand 100 during a swing of a club or bat.

FIG. 8 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athleticassembly 500 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG.9 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 500 shown in FIG. 8.The athletic assembly 500 may be similar to the athletic assembly 400(FIG. 6). The athletic assembly 500 includes an anchor body 502 (FIG. 8)joined to the anchor portion 212 (FIG. 8). The anchor body 502 may besecured to the glove 204. For example, the anchor body 502 may beattached to the glove 204 proximate to the distal ends of themetacarpals 115 of the hand 100. A trailing end 504 (FIG. 8) of theanchor body 502 is attached to the glove 204 between the metacarpal 115of the thumb 118 and the metacarpal 115 of the index finger 120. Aleading end 506 (FIG. 8) of the anchor body 502 is attached to the glove204 at the metacarpal 115 of the middle finger 122. The anchor body 502extends across the metacarpals 115 and transverse to the strap 202. Theloop 216 at the anchor portion 212 is secured to the anchor body 502.

The strap 202 is tightened to provide a force generally along the arrowsshown in FIG. 8 and across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100. Thisforce can assist an athlete in rolling his or her hand 100 and/or wrist114 during the swing of a bat or club.

In another embodiment, the strap 202 in one or more of the aboveembodiments may extend along the palmar side of the hand 100. Forexample, the strap 202 may extend across the palm of the hand 100. Theanchor body to which the strap 202 is coupled may be rotated (in thecase of the anchor bodies formed in the shape of a ring or loop in FIGS.2 through 5) so that the strap 202 extends across the palm.Alternatively, in the case of the strap-shaped anchor body of FIGS. 6through 9, the anchor body may be coupled to the glove on the palm sideof the hand 100. Extending the strap 202 across the palmar side of thehand 100 may have an opposite effect when compared to the strap 202extending across the dorsal side. For example, the strap 202 may providea force that inhibits rotation or rolling of the hand 100 and/or wrist114. As a result, the athlete may be less likely to pull or draw theball that is struck during the athlete's swing. Instead, the athlete maybe more likely to fade or slice the ball. The athlete may switchpositions of the strap 202 and/or swing athletic swing assemblies duringa game, match, or round to vary the forces supplied by the assembliesand change the direction or trajectories along which the athlete strikesand hits the balls.

FIG. 11 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athleticassembly 1100 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment.FIG. 12 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 1100 shown inFIG. 11. The athletic assembly 1100 may be similar to the athleticassembly 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The athletic assembly 1100 can bepositioned over and secured to the hand 100, similar to a baseball orsoftball batting glove or golf glove. The athletic assembly 1100includes an elongated strap 1102 (shown in FIG. 11). In the illustratedembodiment, the strap 1102 is utilized with a glove 1104. Alternatively,the strap 1102 may be used without the glove 1104. For example, thestrap 1102 may be used with a bare hand 100 that is not wearing theglove 1104. The strap 1102 may be formed integrally with the glove 1104or may be separate from the glove 1104.

The strap 1102 extends between a wrist portion or end 1106 (shown inFIG. 12) and an anchor portion or end 1112. Similar to the wrist portion206 (shown in FIG. 2) of the assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), the wristportion 1106 is configured to be secured to the wrist 114 of the hand100. An intermediate portion 1108 (shown in FIG. 11) of the strap 1102extends from the wrist portion 1106 to the anchor portion 1112. Theintermediate portion 1108 may be similar to the intermediate portion 208(shown in FIG. 2) of the assembly 200.

The anchor portion 1112 is joined to the intermediate portion 1108 andis positioned at the proximal phalange 128 of the index finger 120. Theanchor portion 1112 is joined to an anchor body 1114 (shown in FIG. 11).Similar to the anchor body 214 (shown in FIG. 2) of the athleticassembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), the anchor body 1114 anchors, orsecures, one end of the strap 1102 to the hand 100. In the illustratedembodiment, the anchor portion 1112 includes a loop 1116 that extendsaround the anchor body 1114 such that the strap 1102 is coupled to theanchor body 1114.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 1114 is similar to theanchor body 214 (shown in FIG. 2) of the athletic assembly 200 (shown inFIG. 2). For example, the anchor body 1114 is formed as a loop or ringaround the index finger 120. One difference between the athleticassemblies 200, 1100 is where the anchor portion 1112 of the strap 1102is joined with the anchor body 1114. In the athletic assembly 200 (andas shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), the anchor portion 212 of the strap 202 isjoined to the anchor body 214 approximately halfway between the thumband index finger. For example, the anchor portion 212 is approximatelycentered or is centered between the index finger and thumb. By“centered,” it is meant that the anchor portion 212 extends over or islocated over the midway point or plane between the index finger andthumb. In contrast, the anchor portion 1112 of the strap 1102 is joinedto the anchor body 1114 in an offset position. For example, the anchorportion 1112 is not approximately centered or is centered between theindex finger and thumb. Instead, the anchor portion 1112 is disposedcloser to the thumb than the index finger. Alternatively, the anchorportion 1112 may be located closer to the index finger than the thumb.Offsetting the anchor portion 1112 may change the force that is appliedby the strap 1102 onto the hand 100 relative to one or more otherpositions of the anchor portion 1112. For example, offsetting the anchorportion 1112 may cause the force applied by the strap 1102 to rotate orroll the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 at a different speed or along adifferent axis.

FIG. 13 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athleticassembly 1300 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment.FIG. 14 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 1300 shown inFIG. 13. FIGS. 15 through 19 provide additional views of the fitting ofthe athletic assembly 1300 to a hand of an athlete. The athleticassembly 1300 may be similar to one or more other athletic assembliesshown and described herein. The athletic assembly 1300 can be positionedover and secured to the hand 100, similar to a baseball or softballbatting glove or golf glove. The athletic assembly 1300 includes anelongated strap 1302. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 1302 isutilized with a glove 1304. Alternatively, the strap 1302 may be usedwithout the glove 1304.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the strap 1302 can be wrapped around theindex finger of the hand 100 one or more times to secure the strap 1302to the index finger. Alternatively, the strap 1302 may be wrapped toanother appendage or part of the hand. In another embodiment, the strap1302 is fixed to the glove 1304, such as by stitching the strap 1302 tothe glove 1304 at or near the index finger (or another finger or thumb).

The strap 1302 is then placed or pulled across the hand toward the wrist114, as shown in FIG. 17. The strap 1302 includes at attachment portion1308, which is shown as a section of hook and loop material (e.g.,Velcro®), in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the attachmentportion 1308 may include a zipper, button/hole combination, or othercomponent to attach the strap 1302 to itself. For example, the strap1302 is wrapped around the wrist and the attachment portion 1308 is usedto secure the strap 1302 around the wrist 114, as shown in FIGS. 18 and19. A similar attachment portion may be provided on the opposite end ofthe strap 1302 to secure the opposite end around the finger or thumb ofthe hand 100. As described above, the strap 1302 is pulled taut toprovide a force that assists the athlete in rolling or rotating the handand/or wrist during a swing. The strap 1302 also may assist in keepingthe glove 1304 tight to the hand 100.

FIG. 20 illustrates an athletic strap system 2000 in accordance with oneembodiment. The system 2000 can be worn on both hands at the same time.For example, the system 2000 includes a plurality of athletic assemblies2002, 2004, with a first athletic assembly 2002 worn on a leading hand2006 and a second athletic assembly 2004 worn on a trailing hand 2008.The leading hand 2006 is the hand that moves ahead or in advance of thetrailing hand 2008 during a swing. For example, for a right-handedbatter or golfer, the left hand is the leading hand 2006 and the righthand is the trailing hand 2008 as the left hand moves ahead of the righthand when the batter swings a bat or when the golfer swings a clubforward of the backswing. For a left-handed batter or golfer, the righthand is the leading hand 2006 and the left hand is the trailing hand2008. The illustrated embodiment shows the system 2000 worn by aright-handed batter or golfer.

The athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 shown in FIG. 20 are similar to theathletic assembly 1300 shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the athleticassemblies 2002, 2004 may be similar to another strap or athleticassembly, such as, but not limited to, the athletic assemblies 200, 300,400, 500, and 1100 described above. While both the athletic assemblies2002, 2004 shown in FIG. 20 are similar, in another embodiment, theathletic assemblies 2002, 2004 may be different assemblies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first athletic assembly 2002 on theleading hand 2006 includes a strap that is worn across the dorsal, orback, side of the leading hand 2006 and the second athletic assembly2004 includes a strap that is worn across the palmar, or opposite, sideof the trailing hand 2008. Similar to as described above, the athleticassemblies 2002, 2004 can be tightened to aid in rolling or rotating thehands and/or wrists of the athlete wearing the athletic assemblies 2002,2004. For example, the first athletic assembly 2002 can be tightenedacross the dorsal side of the leading hand 2006 and help to rotate theleading hand 2006 and/or wrist during the swinging of a bat or glove.The second athletic assembly 2004 can be tightened across the palmarside of the trailing hand 2008 and help to rotate the trailing hand 2008and/or wrist during the swing. Due to the relative positions of theleading and trailing hands 2006, 2008 on a bat or club during a swing,the first athletic assembly 2002 pulls or applies a force that assistsin rotating the leading hand 2006 (and/or wrist) and the second athleticassembly 2004 pulls or applies a force that assists in rotating thetrailing hand 2008 (and/or wrist) in the general directions that thehands 2006, 2008 (and/or wrists) rotate during the swing. For example,the first athletic assembly 2002 applies a force to the leading hand2006 along arrow 2010 and the second athletic assembly 2004 applies aforce to the trailing hand 2008 along arrow 2012 to help rotate bothhands 2006, 2008 during the swing.

Several example embodiments of athletic assemblies that can assist anathlete in turning, rolling, or rotating his or her hand or wrist duringthe swing of a club or bat are shown and described herein. One or moreof the athletic assemblies described in this application can be added toan existing glove. For example, an athletic assembly described above canbe stitched to or otherwise affixed to a preexisting, traditional, orknown batting glove or golf glove to retrofit the glove with theathletic assembly. The athletic assembly can be located on top of, oroutside of, the glove, or alternatively may be worn inside the glove,such as between the glove and the hand disposed in the glove. In anotherembodiment, the athletic assembly may extend through the glove, such asby being at least partially disposed between outer layers of the glove,with one of the outer layers contacting the athlete's hand when theglove is worn and another outer layer forming at least part of theexterior of the glove. One or more of the athletic assemblies can assistin keeping a glove tight against or onto an athlete's hands. Forexample, the athletic assemblies can be tightened to keep a batter'sglove or golfer's glove tight against the batter's or golfer's hand andthereby reduce the need to repeatedly tighten the glove.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions andtypes of materials described herein are intended to define theparameters of the various embodiments, the embodiments are by no meanslimiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the various embodiments should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appendedclaims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as theplain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are notintended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, thelimitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinaryskill in the art to practice the various embodiments, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within thescope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if the examplesinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

1. An athletic assembly comprising: an elongated strap extending betweena wrist portion and an anchor portion with an intermediate portionextending therebetween, the wrist portion configured to be joined to awrist of an athlete wearing the assembly; and an anchor body coupled tothe anchor portion of the strap, the anchor body configured to be joinedwith a hand of the athlete in a position disposed away from the wristportion, wherein the intermediate portion provides a rotative force toone or more of the hand or the wrist of the athlete when theintermediate portion is pulled across the hand from the wrist to theanchor body, the rotative force assisting the athlete in rolling the oneor more of the hand or the wrist during a swinging action of athleticequipment.
 2. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor bodyis configured to be secured to at least one of a proximal phalange ofthe hand or a distal end of a metacarpal of the hand.
 3. The athleticassembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body comprises a ring configuredto be secured around a proximal phalange of the hand.
 4. The athleticassembly of claim 1, wherein the athletic assembly is formed integrallywith a glove.
 5. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchorbody is secured to multiple proximal phalanges of the hand.
 6. Theathletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is secured to athumb of the hand.
 7. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein theanchor body comprises a shortened strap having a length that is shorterthan the elongated strap.
 8. The athletic assembly of claim 1, whereinthe wrist portion is formed integrally with a glove.
 9. The athleticassembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is coupled to a glove. 10.An athletic assembly comprising: a glove configured to receive a hand ofan individual, the glove having a palmer side configured to gripsporting equipment and an opposite dorsal side; an elongated straphaving a wrist portion and an anchor portion, the elongated strapconfigured to extend across one of the dorsal side or the palmer side ofthe glove, the wrist portion being configured to couple to a wristregion of the hand and the anchor portion being configured to couple tothe glove at a corner region of the hand, wherein the strap provides arotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the athletewhen the strap is pulled across the hand.
 11. The athletic assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the corner region includes a proximal phalange and/ora distal end of a metacarpal of at least one of a thumb, index finger,or middle finger of the hand.
 12. The athletic assembly of claim 10,wherein the glove and the strap are readily separable from each other.13. The athletic assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of theanchor portion or the wrist portion is secured to the glove.
 14. Theathletic assembly of claim 10, wherein the strap extends across thedorsal side of the glove.
 15. A method of generating rotation in awrist, the method comprising: securing a wrist portion of an athleticassembly to a wrist of the hand; securing an anchor portion of theathletic assembly to a trailing end of the hand; joining an intermediateportion to the wrist portion at a leading end of the hand; and extendingthe intermediate portion between the wrist portion and the anchorportion along a dorsal side of the hand, wherein the intermediateportion is configured to pull the anchor portion to generate rotation ofthe hand about the wrist.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingsecuring anchor portion to at least one of a proximal phalange of thehand or a distal end of a metacarpal of the hand.
 17. An athleticassembly comprising: an elongated strap extending between opposite firstand second ends, the first end coupled to a finger and/or thumb of ahand, the second end coupled to a wrist of the hand.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 17, wherein at least one of the first or second ends includes anattachment portion that secures the first or second end to the strap.19. An athletic strap system comprising: a first athletic assemblyincluding a first strap that is coupled to a leading hand of an athlete;and a second athletic assembly including a second strap that is coupledto a trailing hand of the athlete, wherein the first and second athleticassemblies provide forces on the leading and trailing hands to assist inrotating the leading and trailing hands during a swing.
 20. The athleticstrap system of claim 19, wherein the first strap extends across adorsal side of the leading hand and the second strap extends across apalmer side of the trailing hand.